Urine hat flush water capture device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a urine specimen capture device comprising a capture bowl to capture a urine specimen, a mounting frame connected to the capture bowl to support the capture bowl within a toilet bowl and one or more flush water capture flange for capturing flush water emitted from a toilet bowl rim during a toilet flush cycle and diverting the flush water to the capture bowl to rinse the capture bowl of the urine specimen.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a device for capturing aurine specimen in a capture bowl and analyzing the urine specimen.

BACKGROUND

A urine hat is a long-standing toilet insert used to capture urine formeasurement and analysis. Since it provides access to undiluted urineand does not require a change in the normal bathroom routine, it is anideal platform for on-site urine analysis. Urine hats are widely used inhospitals and other healthcare facilities to monitor urine output.

Essentially, a urine hat is a large plastic measuring cup that sits onthe rim of a toilet bowl and collects urine while the patient uses thetoilet in a normal fashion. Following a urinary event, a nurse entersthe patient's room, documents the level of urine in the hat, empties thecontents into the toilet bowl and then flushes the toilet. Since many ofthe drugs or health conditions experienced during a hospital stay canaffect kidney function or require good urine output, this is a simpleand effective means of monitoring urine output. Additionally, urine hatsare used to collect urine specimens for lab analysis both in thehospital and at home.

Unlike the typical urine sampling procedure employed by laboratories,urine hats capture a clean, complete, undiluted urine sample as part ofnormal toilet use. As a result, samples are easily obtained with everybathroom visit and data can be continuously acquired withoutinterrupting the patient's normal routine.

Conventionally, however, the basic urine hat is used for little morethan collecting a sample and determining the volume of urine output.Moreover, despite the convenience of a urine hat (in comparison to usinga simple disposable cup), there is still some inconvenience associatedwith visually inspecting the contents, determining the volume of urineoutput, transferring the contents to a laboratory specimen container forfurther analysis, manually disposing of the contents, and, of course,exposing the laboratory personnel who handle the urine hat to harmfulpathogens.

Accordingly, there is a need to develop a urine hat that is safer, moreuser friendly and more amenable to frequent use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel urine hat device that is capableof collecting, analyzing, and disposing of a urine specimen without anymanual handling of the urine hat or the urine specimen.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a urine specimencapture device for analyzing a urine specimen, comprising a capture bowlto capture a urine specimen; a mounting frame connected to the capturebowl to support the capture bowl within a toilet bowl; and a flush watercapture flange fluidly connected to and extending from the capture bowlto capture flush water emitted from a toilet bowl rim during a toiletflush cycle and divert the flush water to the capture bowl to therebyrinse the capture bowl of the urine specimen.

In another embodiment, the urine specimen capture device furthercomprises an opening at a bottom of the capture bowl to drain the urinespecimen.

In another embodiment, the urine specimen capture device furthercomprises a flush valve within the opening. In another embodiment, theflush valve is operably connected to a toilet flush mechanism andconfigured to open upon actuation of the toilet flush mechanism.

In yet another embodiment, the flush valve is operably connected to auser sensor configured to close the flush valve when the presence of auser on a toilet seat is detected and open the flush valve when thepresence of a user on the toilet seat is not detected. In anotherembodiment, the user sensor comprises a toilet seat load sensor. In someembodiments, the user sensor comprises a user proximity sensor.

In some embodiments, the capture flange is flexible. In otherembodiments, the capture flange extends a distance sufficient that anouter edge of the capture flange, when inserted within the toilet bowl,is capable of abutting an inside surface of the toilet bowl, therebycapturing toilet flush water discharged from one or more flush water rimholes and flowing down the inside surface of the toilet bowl. In yetother embodiments, the capture flange extends from the capture bowl adistance sufficient that an outer edge of the capture flange is, wheninserted within a toilet bowl, capable of extending under one or moreflush water rim hole, thereby capturing toilet flush water dischargedfrom the one or more flush water rim hole. In some embodiments, thecapture flange extends from a front portion of the capture bowl. In yetother embodiments, the capture flange is sloped downwardly from an outeredge of the capture flange to the capture bowl, such that water capturedby the capture flange from one or more flush water rim hole is able toflow downwardly on the capture flange and into the capture bowl.

In some embodiments, the mounting frame is configured to mount to asurface of the toilet bowl or toilet bowl rim. In other embodiments, themounting frame comprises a suction device.

In some embodiments, the capture device further comprises one or moreanalytic device mounted within the capture bowl. For example, theanalytic device may in some embodiments comprise a spectrometer.

The capture device may also include additional analytic devices, such asa fluid level sensor. In some embodiments, the analytic device comprisesa spectrometer and a fluid level sensor and the spectrometer is actuatedupon the fluid level reaching a designated volume level.

In some embodiments, the capture device may comprise a flush valveoperably connected to the fluid level sensor and configured toselectively close and open to maintain the urine specimen at apredetermined volume in the capture bowl. In some embodiments, thecapture device may further comprise a flush valve operably connected tothe fluid level sensor and configured to selectively close and open toprevent the urine specimen from exceeding a predetermined volume in thecapture bowl.

In some embodiments, the opening further comprises a flow rate sensor.

These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in thepresent specification and claims, as shown and described in thefollowing figures and related description. It will be appreciated thatvarious embodiments of the invention may not include each aspect setforth above and aspects discussed above shall not be read into theclaims unless specifically described therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described in reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet having placed within it acapture bowl in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a urine specimencapture bowl.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a urine specimencapture bowl closing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the urine specimen capture bowl closingmechanism of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a urine specimen capture bowl, further showingthe electronic control features.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment of a urine specimen capture bowl.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C show various views of one embodiment of a urinecapture slit.

FIG. 8 shows a paddle-type power generator for generating power fromflush water.

It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and notlimiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appendedclaims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects ofthe invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly showeach element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and assuch, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate thevarious details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, notevery embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed inreference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilledin the art to practice the present invention. The skilled artisan willunderstand, however, that the apparatuses, systems and methods describedbelow can be practiced without employing these specific details, or thatthey can be used for purposes other than those described herein. Indeed,they can be modified and can be used in conjunction with products andtechniques known to those of skill in the art in light of the presentdisclosure. The drawings and descriptions are intended to be exemplaryof various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow thescope of the appended claims. Furthermore, it will be appreciated thatthe drawings may show aspects of the invention in isolation and theelements in one figure may be used in conjunction with elements shown inother figures.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment, but is not a requirement that such feature, structure orcharacteristic be present in any particular embodiment unless expresslyset forth in the claims as being present. The appearances of the phrase“in one embodiment” in various places may not necessarily limit theinclusion of a particular element of the invention to a singleembodiment, rather the element may be included in other or allembodiments discussed herein.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofembodiments of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specificdetails are provided, such as examples of products or manufacturingtechniques that may be used, to provide a thorough understanding ofembodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art willrecognize, however, that embodiments of the invention may be practicedwithout one or more of the specific details, or with other methods,components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described in detail, itshould be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to anyparticular structures, process steps, or materials discussed ordisclosed herein, but is extended to include equivalents thereof aswould be recognized by those of ordinarily skill in the relevant art.More specifically, the invention is defined by the terms set forth inthe claims. It should also be understood that terminology containedherein is used for the purpose of describing particular aspects of theinvention only and is not intended to limit the invention to the aspectsor embodiments shown unless expressly indicated as such. Likewise, thediscussion of any particular aspect of the invention is not to beunderstood as a requirement that such aspect is required to be presentapart from an express inclusion of the aspect in the claims.

It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and theappended claims, singular forms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” may includethe plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, it is understood that a reference to “an engagement element”may include one or more of such engagement elements. In particular, withrespect to the construction of claims, it is further understood that areference to “an engagement element” reads on an infringing device thathas more than one engagement element, since such infringing device has“an engagement element”, plus additional engagement elements.Accordingly, the use of the singular article “a,” “an,” and “the” isconsidered open-ended to include more than a single element, unlessexpressly limited to a single element by such language as “only,” or“single.”

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete ornearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property,state, structure, item, result or function as indicated. For example, anobject that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object iseither completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed, such that itretains the function of a completely enclosed object. The exactallowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in somecases depend on the specific context, for example, such that enclosingan element would be substantially enclosed, even if the distal end ofthe structure enclosing the element had a slit or channel formed along aportion thereof. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable whenused in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near completelack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, orresult. For example, a structure which is “substantially free of” abottom would either completely lack a bottom or so nearly completelylack a bottom that the effect would be functionally the same as if itlacked a bottom.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to anumerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “alittle above” or “a little below” the endpoint while still accomplishingthe function associated with the range.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember.

The structure, function and use of the improved urine hat of the presentinvention is described and shown in the figures, discussed below.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a urine specimen capturedevice that comprises a capture bowl to capture a urine specimen, amounting frame connected to the capture bowl to support the capture bowlwithin a toilet bowl and an analytic device connected to the capturebowl to analyze a property of the urine specimen in the capture bowl.

In some embodiments, the capture device may further comprise an openingat a bottom of the capture bowl to drain the urine specimen. In aparticular embodiment, for example, the opening may also comprise a flowflush valve configured to selectively close and open. For example, theflush valve may close the opening during a urine specimen collectioncycle so as to allow measurement and analysis of the urine specimen, andthen open during a flush cycle so as to dispose of the contents of thecapture bowl. The flush valve may also be configured to selectivelyclose and open to maintain the urine specimen at a predetermined volumein the capture bowl. The predetermined volume level may be maintained byuse of an analytic device that measures the volume of the urine specimenin the capture bowl. Such an analytic device may include, for example, afluid level sensor. The fluid level sensor may be configured to detectwhen the urine specimen has reached a predetermined level and thenprovide a signal to the flush valve to release a quantity of the urinespecimen so as to prevent the urine specimen from exceeding thepredetermined level or fluid volume. In some embodiments, the capturedevice may also further comprise a flow rate sensor, which can detectthe rate of flow of the urine specimen through the opening and calculatethe total volume of urine specimen deposited in the capture bowl byreference to the rate of flow, over a given period of time, to calculatethe volume of urine specimen that has passed through the opening. Theflow rate sensor may also be used to communicate retained volume in thecapture bowl, so as to assure that a sufficient amount of a urinespecimen is retained in the capture bowl for purposes of analysis.

In another embodiment, the urine capture device may further include asensor that detects the presence near or approach of a user toward theurine capture device. For example, such sensors may include such devicesa pressure sensor that detects the weight of a user sitting on orstanding near the urine capture device, or a proximity sensor thatdetects the presence of a user near the urine capture device or theapproach of a user toward the urine capture device. Such sensors mayinclude, for example, a sensor that wirelessly detects a transmitter inthe possession of the user via any suitable wireless technology, such asBlue-tooth. A sensor that detects the approach of a user may be useful,for example, by enabling the urine capture device and system to beginpreparations of the urine capture device for a new user, includingrinsing (again) the capture bowl, closing the opening at the bottom ofthe capture bowl, connecting with the internet to access that user'sprofile and medical history records (which can be updated followingreceipt and analysis of that particular urine specimen), etc.

In another embodiment, the flush valve is operably connected to andconfigured to open upon actuation of a toilet flush mechanism. Forexample, during a urine specimen collection event the flush valve willbe closed to enable measurement and analysis of the urine specimen. Whenthe measurement and analysis is completed and the urine specimen is nolonger needed the toilet is flushed and a signal is sent to the flushvalve to open, thereby allowing the urine specimen to be released fromthe capture bowl. In some embodiments, described in more detail below,the flush water from the toilet may also be diverted to the capture bowlso as to rinse the capture bowl free of the urine specimen. In anotherembodiment, the flush valve is operably connected to a user sensorconfigured to close the flush valve when the presence of a user on thetoilet seat is detected and open the flush valve when the presence of auser on the toilet seat is not detected. For example, the user sensormay comprise a toilet seat load (weight) sensor, or a user proximitysensor.

In another embodiment, the present invention further comprises a capturedevice having a mounting frame that is connected to the capture bowl andsupports the capture bowl within a toilet bowl. In a particularembodiment, the mounting frame is configured to mount to a toilet bowlor toilet bowl rim. The mounting frame may mount to the toilet bowl ortoilet bowl rim by means of a flange that extends from the capture bowland is configured to lie flat on the top of the toilet bowl rim.Alternatively, the mounting frame may comprise a suction device that isconfigured to be firmly mounted on the toilet bowl rim or the sides ofthe toilet bowl rim by means of suction cups. It is further understoodthat the capture bowl may be mounted to the inside of the toilet bowl,without being mounted on or to the sides of the toilet bowl rim, forexample by means of suction cups that are configured to adhere to theinside of the toilet bowl. Other configurations for mounting to thetoilet bowl are also possible that are not disclosed herein.

In another aspect of the invention, the capture device may also comprisean analytic device connected to the capture bowl to analyze propertiesof the urine specimen that has been collected in the capture bowl. Forexample, the analytic device may comprise a spectrometer that is capableof analyzing the chemical properties of the urine sample by identifyingand quantifying particular chemicals present by measuring properties oflight over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

In another embodiment, the capture device of the present invention mayinclude a light transparent window that isolates the spectrometer fromthe urine specimen. The light transparent window will be transparent tothose wavelengths used for spectroscopic analysis of the urine specimen.For example, the light transparent window will generally be transparentto light in the near ultraviolet to near infrared range.

In another embodiment, the analytic device, such as a spectrometer,functionally coordinates with the fluid level sensor. For example, uponthe fluid level reaching a designated level, such as above the point atwhich the spectrometer is able to take a reading, the spectrometer maybe actuated to analyze the urine specimen that has reached thedesignated level.

In other embodiments, the analytic device may comprise a transmitter forwireless communication of information that has been acquired by theanalytic device. In some embodiments, the wireless information iscommunicated from the analytic device to a general purpose computer,which is configured to receive and store such information in itscomputer memory. For example, the data acquired by the analytic devicemay be stored in a computer database that includes files associated withthe patient on whose behalf the data is being collected at the urinespecimen collection event, and possibly at a plurality of urine specimencollection events over a period of time.

In yet another embodiment, the analytic device may further comprise agenerator that powers the analytic device. For example, the generatormay be operably connected to the flush water, such that the flush waterupon flushing flows through a hydraulic turbine to convert the energy offlowing water into mechanical energy, which is then converted toelectricity by means of a hydroelectric generator. Such electricity maybe used immediately as it is generated or stored, such as in a battery,for later use.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a urine specimencapture device for analyzing a urine specimen, comprising a flush watercapture flange fluidly connected to and extending from the capture bowlto capture flush water emitted from a toilet bowl rim during a toiletflush cycle and divert the flush water to the capture bowl to therebyrinse the capture bowl of the urine specimen. In one embodiment, thecapture device may also include an opening at a bottom of the capturebowl to drain the urine specimen.

In some embodiments, the capture flange extends from the capture bowl adistance sufficient that an outer edge of the capture flange is, wheninserted within a toilet bowl, capable of extending under one or morerim hole through which flush water is discharged from a toilet bowl rim,thereby capturing toilet flush water discharged from rim holes. Inanother embodiment, the capture flange extends a distance sufficientthat an outer edge of the capture flange, when inserted within a toiletbowl, is capable of abutting an inside surface of the toilet bowl,thereby capturing toilet flush water discharged from rim holes andflowing down an inside surface of the toilet bowl. In order tofacilitate capturing as much flush water as possible discharged throughthe rim holes and running down the side of the toilet bowl, the captureflange may be flexible so as to form a seal against the side of thetoilet bowl, thereby increasing the amount of flush water captured.

In some embodiments, the capture flange extends from a front portion ofthe capture bowl, so as to catch water discharged from the front rimholes of the toilet bowl rim and divert the water to the capture bowlwhere it can then rinse the capture bowl substantially free of the urinespecimen that has been collected and analyzed. In other embodiments, thecapture flange extends from one or more side portion of the capturebowl, so as to catch water discharged from one or more side rim holes ofthe toilet bowl rim. In yet other embodiments, the capture flange mayextend from both front and side portions of the capture bowl.

In some embodiments, the capture flange is configured to slopedownwardly from the outer edge of the capture flange which extends to ornear the sides of the capture bowl, such that water captured by thecapture flange from one or more flush water rim hole is able to flowdownwardly on the capture flange and into the capture bowl. In order todivert flush water to those areas of the capture bowl that may have beenexposed to the urine specimen, some embodiments of the capture bowl mayalso include ridges or a plurality of ridges (or, alternatively, valleysor a plurality of valleys) that function to direct water in a desireddirection, for example, toward the opening at the bottom of the capturebowl, or toward a region where the analytic device may be receivinginformation from the urine specimen.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a novel urinecollection device that is configured to receive the urine specimen forpurposes of enabling analysis by the analytic device. In one particularembodiment, for example, the novel urine collection device comprises anarrow slit disposed on a surface exposed to urine, wherein at least aportion of the urine is retained within the narrow slit. The surface maybe any surface used to receive or is exposed to a urine specimen. Forexample, the surface may be an inside surface of a capture bowl of aurine hat (as described above), the inside surface of a toilet bowl, orthe inside surface of a stand-up style urinal. In some embodiments, thesurface exposed to urine may comprise a raised mound and the narrow slitis disposed within the raised mound. In other embodiments, the slit maybe recessed below the surface exposed to urine, such that the urinespecimen flows through the slit while retaining a sufficient quantity ofthe urine specimen to enable analysis of the urine specimen. In oneparticular embodiment, the recessed slit comprises a flow path having adownward slope throughout the flow path, such that the urine specimenand/or flush water that rinses the urine specimen out of the slit is notable to pool within the slit. In another embodiment, the recessed slitcomprises a flow path having at least a portion of which is slopedupwardly so as to specifically collect or pool the urine specimen withinthe slit and thereby retain a portion of the urine specimen foranalysis.

In yet another embodiment, the narrow slit is oriented in a directionsubstantially parallel to a flow of the urine. For example, in someembodiments, the slit is oriented downwardly or vertically withreference to the slope of the capture bowl or toilet bowl. Inparticular, the slit may be oriented such that the slit is parallel oraligned with an imaginary line that represents the maximum slope of thetoilet bowl at the location of the slit (i.e., so that it is parallelwith the flow of the urine specimen and flush water as it runsdownwardly by gravity, straight down the toilet bowl). Alternatively,the slit may be oriented such that it directs the flow of the urinespecimen and flush water at an angle relative to the direction of theflow of the urine specimen and flush water as it runs downwardly bygravity. Thus, the narrow slit may be oriented in a directionsubstantially parallel to the flow of flush water.

In some embodiments, the narrow slit comprises a width sufficient toretain the portion of the urine by capillary force. Capillary actionmay, for example, be used to wick the urine specimen within the narrowspace defined by the slit and retain the urine specimen, in oppositionto the external force of gravity that would ordinarily cause the urinespecimen to flow downwardly out of the slit. Capillary force occursbecause of intermolecular forces between the urine specimen and surroundsolid surfaces defined by the inside walls of the slit. If the slit issufficiently narrow, the combination of surface tension, caused bycohesion within the liquid, and the adhesive forces between the urinespecimen and the inside walls of the slit act to retain the urinespecimen within the slit. In some embodiments, the slit may haveinternal sides having a hydrophilic surface that assist with retentionof the urine specimen by hydrophilic or capillary forces.

In some embodiments, the inside surface of the urine capture bowl iscoated with a hydrophobic coating or is manufactured of a hydrophobicmaterial. The use of a hydrophobic material reduces urine specimenresidue on the urine capture bowl, and promotes cleaning of urinespecimen residue from the urine capture bowl during flushing.

In other embodiments, the narrow slit may have a width that is greaterthan that required to capture and retain a urine specimen by capillaryor hydrophilic forces. For example, the width of the narrow slit may besufficiently wide that the urine specimen flows through the slit, suchthat a spectrometer takes a reading and analyzes the urine specimenwhile the urine specimen is flowing through the slit.

In another aspect, the present invention further provides a urinespecimen collection where the slit comprises internal sides and whereineach internal side has an aperture opposing an aperture on the otherinternal side. Each aperture may be used, for example, as a conduit foran optical fiber that transmits and/or receives light for purposes ofanalyzing the urine specimen by spectroscopy, where the optical fiber isoptically connected to a spectrometer located remotely from the urinespecimen collection device. In some embodiments the aperture includes alight transparent window through which light is transmitted or received.In other embodiments, the optical fiber is inserted and sealed withinthe aperture and the end of the optical fiber is exposed directly to theurine specimen, with no light transparent window between the opticalfiber and the urine specimen.

The above-referenced embodiments of the present invention are furthershown and described in the figures, which show particular embodiments ofthe invention. It is understood that the embodiments illustrated in thefigures are not limiting of the invention described and claimed herein,that other embodiments of the invention are contemplated, and that thescope of the present invention should be construed solely by thedisclosure and claims set forth herein.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one particular embodiment of theurine capture device 20 of the present invention (shown without a toiletlid or toilet seat for ease of viewing). In FIG. 1, a urine capture bowl10 that is capable of functioning as a urine specimen capture device isshown disposed in a toilet bowl 23. The urine capture bowl 10 issupported by a mounting frame 12, which is configured as a rim mountingflange that is mounted on the rim 22 of the toilet bowl 23. The userurinates into the capture bowl 10, and the urine specimen is retained inthe urine capture bowl so that it is not diluted or contaminated by thecontents of the toilet bowl. After analysis of the urine specimen iscompleted, the user flushes the toilet with flush handle 25 (or thetoilet automatically flushes upon detecting by means of a proximitysensor 26 that the user leaves the premises), flush water from the rimholes 24 is discharged into both the toilet bowl 23, as well as theurine capture bowl 10, thereby rinsing the urine specimen from the urinecapture bowl. The features of the urine capture bowl are described ingreater detail in the following FIGS. 2-7.

FIG. 2 shows a urine capture device that is configured to be insertedwithin the toilet bowl of an existing toilet. The urine capture device10 comprises a capture bowl 11 that is supported by and connected to amounting flange 12 a that rests on top of the rim 22 of a toilet bowl.The urine capture bowl may be secured within the toilet bowl by suchmeans as suction cups 17. Other means may also be used, for example,tape, silicone tabs that reversibly stick to the toilet bowl rim, hookand loop fixtures, etc. The urine capture device further comprises oneor more flush water capture flange 14 a and 14 b. As shown in FIG. 2,two capture flanges 14 a and 14 b are shown extending from the sides ofthe urine capture bowl. Alternatively, or in addition to theside-extending capture flanges, one or more capture flange may alsoextend from the front portion of the urine capture bowl. The captureflanges are fluidly connected to and extend from the capture bowl insuch a manner as to divert flush water into the capture bowl. Forexample, when the urine capture bowl is placed within a toilet bowl, theflush water capture flanges 14 a and 14 b are configured to extendoutwardly a sufficient distance to be positioned under the rim holes 24inside the toilet bowl from which flush water is expelled, therebycapturing flush water that is expelled from the rim holes into thetoilet bowl during flushing of the toilet and directing the flush waterinto the urine capture bowl. Alternatively, the capture flanges 14 a and14 b may be configured to extend outwardly a sufficient distance totouch the side of the toilet bowl, thereby capturing flush water passingdown the side of a toilet bowl rim, and directing such flush water tothe capture bowl. The flush water captured from the rim holes 24 of thetoilet bowl is then used to rinse the contents of the capture bowlthrough an opening 13. Accordingly, each flush cycle removes the urinesample from the capture bowl and rinses the capture bowl with cleanwater, readying the capture bowl for a new urine specimen from asubsequent user. With this device, the need for visually inspecting andmanually removing the urine content of the capture bowl is eliminated.

Also shown in FIG. 2 are pressure sensors 16 which can be used to detectthe load of a user sitting down on the toilet and prepare the urinecapture device for receiving a urine sample.

In some embodiments, discussed in more detail below, a urine specimencaptured in the capture bowl is first analyzed before it is removed fromand rinsed out of the capture bowl. It is understood that thefunctionality of the toilet flush water capture flange 14 willordinarily be used in conjunction with a mechanism for retaining theurine sample in the capture bowl for a sufficient time for the specimento be analyzed (i.e., determining of volume, analyzing urine content,etc.). Accordingly, another aspect of the invention relates to such amechanism, which is discussed in more detail below.

The flush water capture flange represents a novel improvement on theprior art urine hat devices. As shown in FIG. 1, the capture flange isconfigured to extend outwardly from the capture bowl a sufficientdistance and at a suitable angle that it is capable of capturing flushwater that is discharged from the flush water rim holes 24 (shown inFIG. 4) that are typically located underneath the toilet bowl rim of anordinary toilet. A flush water capture flange may be configured, forexample, to fit the specific dimensions of a particular brand and modelof a toilet. In such cases, the position, number, length of extensionand angle of extension can be tailored to the specific dimensions ofthat toilet bowl.

In one particular embodiment, the capture flange 14 is sloped downwardlyfrom the outer edge 14 c of the capture flange to the inner edge 14 d ofthe capture flange and into the capture bowl 11, so as to allow watercaptured by the flange 14 a from the toilet bowl rim holes 24 to flowinto the capture bowl under the force of gravity. In some embodiments,the capture flange may also be configured with features that direct theflow of captured flush water. For example, in some embodiments, thecapture flanges may include fluid flow trenches to direct the flow in aparticular direction. In other embodiments, the capture flanges mayinclude raised sides 14 f to keep the flow of flush water directeddownwardly into the capture bowl.

In other embodiments, the present invention further contemplates a urinespecimen capture device design that is capable of fitting toilet bowlsof various shapes and sizes. For example, in one embodiment, the presentinvention contemplates the use of a capture flange that is flexible. Aflexible capture flange may be constructed of any suitable material thatis water impervious and can flex to accommodate toilet bowls of variousshapes and sizes. For example, a flexible capture flange may beconstrued of rubber, silicone, soft plastic, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) orother material generally known to those skilled in the art.Alternatively, flexible capture flanges may also be constructed in theform of a hinged flange, or a telescoping flange, so as to allow thecapture flange to bend at different angles or extend to varying lengthsto accommodate variable widths and distances of smaller or larger toiletbowls.

In some embodiments, the capture flanges need only be sufficiently longthat they capture flush water discharged from a rim hole beneath the rimof a toilet bowl. For example, it is sufficient that the capture flangeextend under one or more rim hole, without actually abutting or engagingwith the inner surface of the toilet bowl, provided the flush waterdischarged from the rim hole is captured by the outer edge of thecapture flange.

In another embodiment, the capture flange extends from the capture bowla distance sufficient that the outer edge of the capture flange, wheninserted within the toilet bowl, abuts the inside surface of the toiletbowl. This particular arrangement provides the functionality ofcapturing flush water that is not only discharged from a rim hole, butalso capturing flush water that may flow down the side of the insidesurface of the toilet bowl (for example, where the rim holes may bepositioned so closely to the inside surface of the toilet bowl, orpositioned on the upper inside surface of the toilet bowl itself, suchthat the water discharged cannot be captured by simply placing theflange underneath the rim hole). The use of a flexible material for thecapture flange, as described above, may be advantageously used in thisembodiment to cause the capture flange to abut against the insidesurface of the toilet bowl and create a sufficiently tight fit againstthe toilet bowl that the flexible flange captures a sufficient amount ofthe water flowing out of the rim holes and into the toilet bowl toproperly flush and clean the urine capture bowl.

In yet another embodiment, the capture flange may have an outer edgethat is curved to substantially conform to the curvature of the insidesurface of the toilet bowl. This embodiment further assists in assuringthat sufficient amount of the flush water flowing out of the rim holesis captured and diverted to the capture bowl.

In yet another embodiment, the toilet urine specimen capture device ofthe present invention may include a plurality of capture flanges,positioned at or extending from different locations on the capture bowl.In some embodiments, the urine specimen capture device may have twocapture flanges positioned on each side of the capture device, asillustrated by capture flanges 14 a and 14 b in FIG. 2. Additionalcapture flanges may be added in other locations, for example, a captureflange may extend from both sides, and/or from the front of the capturedevice. Alternatively, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a singlecapture flange 14 may be positioned at the front of the capture bowl.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting frame12 of the urine specimen capture device is connected to the capture bowl23 and supports the capture bowl within the toilet bowl 12. In someembodiments, the capture bowl is supported on the toilet bowl rim 22.For example, the mounting frame 12 may include a rim mounting flange 12a, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which rests on top of the toilet bowl rim22, thereby supporting the capture bowl inside the toilet bowl. The rimmounting flange 12 a may, for example, comprise a continuous flange thatextends across the front portion of the toilet bowl rim. In anotherembodiment, the rim mounting flange may comprise two or more segmentsthat rest on the toilet bowl rim. In yet other embodiments, the mountingframe may mount to the inside surface of the toilet bowl rim byfrictional force, or by extending the mounting frame a sufficientdistance within the inside of the toilet bowl rim such that it isretained in place within the circular confines of the toilet bowl (i.e.,extending more than half way around, so that it forms more than a halfcircle). In yet another embodiment, the mounting frame could also bemounted under the toilet bowl rim, for example, by extending the framewithin the inside of the toilet bowl that it is retained in place. It isunderstood that various mounting configurations are possible, withoutdeparting from the scope and intent of the present invention.

In another aspect, as shown in FIG. 2-6, the present invention furtherprovides a urine specimen capture device having a capture bowl with anopening 13 at the bottom of the capture bowl 11. The opening 13 at thebottom of the capture bowl 11 allows the contents of the capture bowl toflow out of the capture bowl when analysis of a urine specimen iscompleted, and further allows the flush water captured by the captureflanges to rinse the capture bowl clean of any residual urine remainingin the capture bowl, thereby preparing the capture bowl to receive aurine specimen from a subsequent user.

In some embodiments, the opening 13 at the bottom of the capture bowl 11may further include a valve 13 a that selectively closes or opens theopening as needed to either retain a urine specimen in the capture bowlor to release the specimen from the capture bowl and allow flush waterto rinse the contents of the capture bowl and be discharged out of thecapture bowl through the opening. For example, FIGS. 2-6 illustrate anopening 13 at the bottom of the capture bowl, in conjunction with apinch valve comprising a flexible sleeve 13 a that can be opened orclosed by a rack and pinion gear 30. The rack and pinion gear, asillustrated generally in FIGS. 3-6, is comprised of a motor 31, whichturns a circular wheel 32, which in turn actuates a linear pinching arm33 to move forward and pinch the flexible sleeve 13 a closed. A rack andpinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears whichconvert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called“the pinion” is connected to a motor, and when the rotational movementof the motor causes the pinion to rotate, the pinion engages teeth on alinear “gear” bar called a “rack”. The rotational motion applied to thepinion causes the rack to move forward, thereby translating therotational motion of the pinion into the linear motion of the rack. Thereverse rotational motion is then applied to the pinion to cause therack to move backward, thereby removing pressure from the flexible pinchvalve and opening the hole in the bottom of the bowl. Other suitablemechanical means are, of course, known to those skilled in the art,which could be substituted for a rack and pinion gear to move thepinching arm 32 forward to pinch the flexible sleeve closed or backwardto “unpinch” the flexible sleeve and open the flexible sleeve. Forexample, a screw gear or worm drive could also be used. For example, onesuitable type of screw gear is a motorized rotating threaded shaft(screw) which pushes a projection from a shaped nut (which projectioncomprises or is connected to a pinching arm) forward and backwardagainst a soft flexible valve, sealing it against the passage of fluidfrom the capture bowl. The present invention further contemplates otherpossible valves that open and close the aperture that defines theopening. For example, a solenoid valve, a pneumatic valve, or ahydraulic valve would also be suitable types of actuating mechanisms foropening and closing various types of valves (i.e., gate valves, ballvalves, check valves, butterfly valves, etc.) for use in the presentinvention. Thus, it is understood that any type of valve capable ofopening and closing the opening of the capture bowl may be used in thepresent invention.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a valve actuatorthat actuates the capture bowl valve and/or the flushing of the toilet.The valve actuator is configured to selectively close the valve toprevent fluid from flowing through the opening, and selectively open thevalve to allow fluid to flow through the opening. The valve actuator maybe any type of device that initiates an electric current to actuate thevalve. For example, in some embodiments, the valve actuator is a valveswitch, which may be a simple manual on/off switch or a button that theuser or operator presses to alternately open and close the valve.Alternatively, the valve switch may comprise a door opening sensor thatdetects the opening of the bathroom door, or that detects the opening ofa toilet seat lid. In other embodiments, the valve switch may comprise amore technically advanced mechanism connected to a mobile or wirelessdevice. For example, the valve actuator may comprise a wireless keypador touch screen that activates the valve upon entry of a code on adirectly wired or wireless keypad or touch screen. As shown in FIG. 1,one type of valve actuator may be a user proximity sensor 26, whichdetects the present of the user, or the departure of the user from thetoilet housing the urine capture device.

It is understood that any of various types of sensors may be used todetect the presence of a user on a toilet. Various types of sensors areknown to those skilled in the art, any one of which may be used todetect the presence of a user on a toilet. For example, such a sensormay be a pressure sensor, such as pressure sensor 16 (shown in FIG. 1)that detects pressure on a toilet seat from a user sitting on the toiletseat, for example, using a strain gauge, a load sensor, a basic contactdetector, a capacitative sensor that detects a current flow through thebare leg of a user, or a momentary push button switch. Alternatively,the sensor may comprise a proximity sensor 26 that detects the presenceof a user near the proximity sensor, for example, an optical proximitysensor, such as an infrared proximity sensor, an ultrasonic rangedetector, or a “magic eye” type beam-interrupt detector, or reflectiveproximity detector. Thus, it is contemplated that the sensor maycomprise any type of sensor known to those skilled in the art that iscapable of detecting the presence of a user on a toilet above thecapture bowl.

In yet another aspect, the present invention further provides a fluidlevel sensor 15 integrated into the side of the capture bowl 11 (asshown in FIG. 2). Various types of fluid level sensors are known andused in the art, and may be used to advantage in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention. As described above, one of theobjectives of a urine hat is to determine, and sometimes to monitor overtime, the urine output of a patient. The use of a urine hat that iscapable of automatically measuring the urine output of a patient hassignificant advantages, including accuracy, higher user compliancerates, higher frequency of data points over time as a result of higheruser compliance rates, etc. Typical fluid level sensors that may be usedto advantage in the capture device of the present invention include, forexample, a capacitance transmitter, which measures the change incapacitance between two plates produced by changes in level of a liquid.A capacitative fluid level sensor can be mounted to the outside of thecapture bowl and measure through the wall of the (non-metallic)container, and can be optimized to ensure precise fluid-levelmeasurements with a high level of accuracy. The design can use atraditional printed circuit board for a flat surface, or a thin,flexible circuit board to accommodate a curved surface of the capturebowl. Capacitative fluid level sensors are available, for example, fromsuch companies as Molex, Lisle, Ill., USA. Another suitable fluid levelsensor may include, for example, a solid-state sensor having a resistiveoutput that varies with the level of a fluid. Such a sensor's envelopeis compressed by the hydrostatic pressure of a fluid in which it isimmersed, which results in a change in resistance that corresponds tothe distance from the top of the sensor to the surface of the fluid.Thus, the sensor's resistive output is inversely proportional to theheight of the liquid: the lower the liquid level, the high the outputresistance; the higher the liquid level, the lower the outputresistance. Such continuous fluid level sensors are availablecommercially, for example, under the brand name eTape™ (MiloneTechnologies, Sewell, N.J., USA). Any suitable fluid level sensor can beused in the urine specimen capture device in accordance with theprinciples described herein.

In yet another aspect the present invention provides a toilet flushmechanism that is configured to actuate the analytic and mechanicalcomponents of the disclosed device. In some embodiments, the capturedevice comprises a toilet flush mechanism that is configured to actuatethe flush valve. For example, the flush valve in the opening of thecapture bowl may be set to a default closed position so that a user maysit on the toilet seat and deposit a urine sample in the capture bowlwithout draining (or only partially draining) through the opening, suchthat the urine sample is partially or entirely collected in the capturebowl. With the urine sample now collected in the capture bowl, theanalytic device may analyze the components of the urine specimen. Uponactuation of the toilet flush mechanism, a signal may then be sent tothe flush valve to open and drain the contents of the capture bowl.Thus, the flush valve may be operably connected to and configured toopen upon actuation of a toilet flush mechanism.

In yet another aspect the present invention provides a suitable analyticdevice capable of detecting and/or measuring analytes in a urine sample.In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the analytic device maycomprise a spectrometer 40 that is connected to a urine capture device41 via fiber optic cables 40 a. A light source 42 is provided togenerate light, which is used to measure properties of the analytes inthe urine specimen. Also shown in FIG. 5 is a microprocessor 35 andcontrol board 50 which together control the operation of the systemincluding, but not limited to, operating the spectrometry device;processing the data received from the spectrometry device; connecting tothe Cloud/Central Server/(however we reference our cloud) and uploadingthe data received from the spectrometry device; providing feedback fromsensors installed on the device; providing communication to a usercontrolled input device; maintaining registered user data; controllingany necessary function of the device including, but not limited to,motor/valve function, user feedback indicators, power system operation.A wireless transmitter 51 is also shown, which may also be used tocommunicate through various wireless communication protocols including,but not limited to, WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular service provider and maybe used in conjunction with, instead of or replaced by a user interfacedevice including, but not limited to, a keypad, scanner, cell phone ortablet. Battery 52 supplies power to the system.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the analytic device of thepresent invention may comprise a generator that powers the analyticdevice. In a particular embodiment, the power generating system isintegrated with the flush mechanism, and the generator generates powerfrom flushing water. For example, in one particular embodiment, a paddletype power generator converts water flow into electrical energy. FIG. 8shows two possible embodiments of power generators 71 and 72 that may beused individually or together. Power generator 71 is shown positioned atthe bottom of a flush water capture flange 14. The power generator 71comprises a plurality of paddles 71 a, 71 b, etc., comprised of aplurality of continuous paddles, which are impelled by flush water andcause the paddle system to rotate. The rotational energy of the paddlescan then be converted to electrical energy by any type of electricalpower generator 73 known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, anotherpower generator 72 is shown positioned above (or below) the valve 13.The power generator 72 comprises a plurality of paddles 72 a, 72 b,etc., comprised of a plurality of discontinuous paddles (each paddlecomprising a plurality of small extensions that are spaced apart), whichare impelled by flush water passing through the valve and cause thepaddle system to rotate. The rotational energy of the paddles can thenbe converted to electrical energy by any type of electrical powergenerator 73 known to those skilled in the art. The electrical energygenerated from the paddle generators can then be stored in a powerstorage device, or used directly, to power the electrical componentsdescribed herein.

The present invention contemplates that any suitable type ofspectrometer technology or equipment may be utilized that is capable ofanalyzing components of urine, including organic compounds, as well asinorganic compounds. For example, spectroscopy may be used to detect thepresence and quantity of such analytes as blood urea nitrogen (BUN),glucose, creatinine, protein, urea, ketones, oxalate, and albumin.Particular analytes of interest may include metabolites, such asestrone-3-glucuronide (E₁G) a major estrogen metabolite.

Suitable spectrometer technology platforms may include any type ofspectroscopy that is suitable for analysis of organic and inorganiccompounds typically found in urine. Such spectroscopy platforms mayinclude, for example, any type of spectroscopy that relies uponelectromagnetic radiation as a source of energy for observing theresponse of chemical compounds to such radiated energy. The interactionbetween the energy and the material may include, for example, adsorptionof energy from the radiative source by the material, emission ofradiative energy released by the material, elastic scattering andreflection by the material, impedance of transmittance of energy by themedium, inelastic scattering involving an exchange of energy between theradiation and the matter than shifts the wavelength of the scatteredradiation (including Raman and Compton scattering), and coherent orresonance spectroscopy where the radiative energy couples two quantumstates of the material in a coherent interaction that is sustained bythe radiating field (including nuclear magnetic resonance, or NMR,spectroscopy). The particular type of spectroscopic platform may beselected by one of ordinary skill in the art, depending on theparticular analyte of interest.

In one particular embodiment, such an analytic device may comprise anear-infrared (NIR) spectrometer. An NIR spectrometer capitalizes on theunique light-absorbing characteristics of individual molecules, referredto as “bands” and “overtones,” to generate a “picture” of how the sampleresponds to different wavelengths of light. Typically, NIR spectroscopywill utilize wavelengths in the range of 700-3000 nm. Each wavelength oflight, when passing through the sample, interacts differently based onthe chemicals and analytes in the sample. Some wavelengths will beabsorbed and some will be completely transmitted. By comparing the lightthat comes through the sample to a background reading taken with nosample in the collection area (or through a second fiber-optic lightpath), it is possible to see how the sample interacts with the light.Statistical analysis of this “picture,” or light transparent image, isthen used to assess the various levels of absorbance and identify thechemical makeup of the sample. Since measuring how a substance respondsto infrared light is a straightforward, safe and non-destructiveprocess, and can be used for a variety of monitoring procedures. NIRspectroscopy may be used, for example, to detect the presence andquantity of such analytes as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose,creatinine, protein, urea, ketones, oxalate, and albumin.

In one particular embodiment, the use of a Fourier Transform Infraredspectrometer (FT-IR) is contemplated. FT-IR spectrometers comprise atwo-beam optical interferometer, referred to as a Michelsoninterferometer. A beam splitter splits the incident beam into two paths:one of the beams is reflected by a moving mirror, and the other is usedas a reference when reflected by a fixed mirror. The moving mirrorcontrols the optical path, or simply the delay, of the first beam andthus the two reflected beams interfere producing a pattern thatcorresponds to the spectral content of the input light. The latter iscaptured by the single photo detector generating an “interferogram”. Thespectrum of the input light is directed generated by applying a FourierTransform over the interferogram. Suitable FT-IR spectroscopyinstruments are commercially available, for example, from NeoSpectra(formerly Si-Ware, Flintridge, Calif.).

Other suitable spectroscopy technologies include digital lightprocessing (DLP) grating technology. A DLP spectrometer works by using adiffraction grating to split the incoming light into differentwavelengths and then uses a DLP chip to more an array of mirrorsindividually and reflect only certain wavelengths of light at a time tothe photo detector or ingaas detector that measures the intensity oflight. Suitable DLP spectrometers are commercially available, forexample, from such companies as Texas Instruments. Other suitablespectroscopy technologies include variable fabry-perot interferencefilters (FPI), non-dispersive, and dispersive.

Furthermore, in addition to determining the concentrations of specificanalytes, NIR spectra also have the potential to serve as surrogateindicators for blood components and other physiologic markers nottypically measured in urine. Given these observations, an NIRspectrometer embedded in a urine hat can be a powerful way to obtainaccurate health-related information from human urine.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention provides a urinecapture device comprising a capture bowl, a spectrometer configured toanalyze the contents of the capture bowl and a mounting frame connectedto the capture bowl, wherein the mounting frame is configured to supportthe capture bowl within a toilet bowl on a toilet bowl rim. As shown inFIG. 1, a spectrometer 40 is provided in connection with the capturebowl. The spectrometer 40 may comprise, for example, a NIR spectrometer.In some embodiments, the spectrometer is isolated from the urinedeposited in the capture device by a light transparent window 41 in awall of the capture bowl 11. Alternatively, the spectrometer may becombined with a fiber optic cable that is placed directly into thecapture bowl, without a light transparent window, such that the fiberoptic cable is used to transmit analyte information to the spectrometer.

In another embodiment, the spectrometer may also be operably connectedto the operation of the capture device, such that the spectrometerinitiates a reading or analysis of the contents of the capture bowl whenthe urine level reaches a predetermined level such that there issufficient urine present to reach the level of the light transparentwindow 41 and enable the spectrometer to take a reading. Thus, in someembodiments, the fluid level sensor is operably connected to thespectrometer, wherein the spectrometer is actuated upon the fluid levelreaching a designated level.

Operation and Use

In operation, the basic concept of the integrated urine hat spectrometeris that when a user sits down on the toilet, a pressure sensor 16 isactivated, which signals the motor 31 to turn and rotation of gear 32.Rotation of gear 32 causes shaft 33 to move forward and push againstsoft rubber valve 143 a, sealing it against the passage of urine. Theuser can then deposit urine into the capture bowl 11. When the urinelevel reaches the lowermost level of the liquid sensor 15, sufficient toobtain a measurement, a signal is transmitted to the microprocessor 35,which activates a spectrometer 40. Light from the spectrometer passesthrough the fiber optic cables 40 a and light transparent window 41,interacts with the sample and returns to spectrometer 40. The resultingdata is transmitted to the microprocessor 35 and sent via a wirelesstransmitter 51 to the user's smart phone, mobile device or computer. Thedata can also be communicated to the cloud for analysis.

When the user has finished and stands up, the pressure sensor 16 isreleased. Motor 31 reverses direction, opening the valve formed by theflexible sleeve 14 around the opening 13 of the capture bowl andallowing the urine to drain. The user flushes the toilet and water fromthe flush is captured by the flush capture flanges 14, thereby cleaningand clearing the basin in preparation for the next use.

Urine Capture Slit

In another aspect, the present invention further contemplates astructure for capturing a urine sample for purposes of spectroscopicanalysis. In one embodiment, the urine sample capture structurecomprises a capture slit disposed on a surface exposed to urine, whereinthe slit is configured to retain a sufficient portion of urine to obtainspectroscopic data on the urine sample. In one embodiment, one or morespectroscopic optical cable is operably connected to the capture slit,such that while a urine sample is retained within the capture slit theoptical cable can collect and transmit spectroscopic data to aspectrometer and the contents of the urine sample can be detected andanalyzed. Thus, during use of the urine capture slit, at least a portionof the urine is retained within the narrow slit, while spectroscopicdata is obtained via the spectroscopic optical cables.

It is understood that the urine capture slit feature described hereinmay be disposed on any suitable structure on which urine may be ortypically is disposed. For example, the urine capture slit may bedisposed on a typical toilet bowl, a urinal or a urine hat.

The urine capture slit may be disposed within and flush with the surfaceof a toilet bowl, urinal or urine hat. Alternatively, the urine captureslit may be integrated into a raised mound 62 a and 62 b that is raisedabove (i.e., not flush with) the surface of the toilet bowl, urinal orurine hat. As described in more detail below, the raised mound functionsto divert the urine specimen and flush water toward the urine captureslit.

In some embodiments, urine capture slit has a length, width and heightthat can accommodate an optical cable in the sides of the urine captureslit, and that is sufficient to draw into and retain a portion of theurine sample within the urine capture slit by capillary force, and alsopermit the urine capture slit to be easily and substantially completelyflushed with water from a standard toilet flush. For example, in someembodiments, the length of the urine capture slit may range from about2.5 mm (about 0.1 inches) to about 25 mm (about 1 inches), or from about2.5 mm (about 0.1 inches) to about 9.5 mm (about 0.375 inches). In oneparticular embodiment, with length of the urine capture slit is about6.35 mm (about 0.25 inches) long. The height of the urine capture slitmay, in some embodiments, range from about 2.5 mm (about 0.1 inches) toabout 31.75 mm (about 1.25 inches). In one particular embodiment, theheight of the urine capture slit is about 6.35 mm (about 0.25 inches),which is sufficient to allow a spectroscopic optical cable and anynecessary support structures to be integrated into the sides of theurine capture slit. In some embodiments, the urine capture slit has awidth that is sufficient to draw into and retain a portion of the urinesample within the urine capture slit by capillary force. For example,suitable urine capture slit widths that will effectively draw into andretain a portion of the urine sample within the urine capture slit bycapillary force will range from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. In someembodiments, the width of the urine capture slit will range from about0.75 mm to about 1.5 mm. In other embodiments, the width of the urinecapture slit will about about 1 mm.

In another aspect, the urine capture slit of the present invention hasinternal sides having a hydrophilic surface that will draw a portion ofthe urine sample within the urine capture slit by hydrophilic forces. Insome embodiments, the urine capture slit will also be comprised ofmaterials that are non-corrosive in an environment exposed to urineand/or feces (which may potentially enter into the urine capture slit).For example, suitable hydrophilic surfaces may comprise such materialsas metal, ceramic, or plastic. Suitable metals include, for example,stainless steel. Suitable plastic material includes, for example,polyamides, polyacrylic amides, polyurethanes with polyethylene glycolether soft segments, ethoxylated graft polymers, and styrene materials,etc. In one particular embodiment, the hydrophilic material is ABS(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). In some embodiments, polymers havinga non-hydrophilic structure may be chemically altered to have ahydrophilic surface by mixing them physically or reacting themchemically with hydrophilic products or components. For example, ethoxyor polyacrylamide groups may be used to increase the hydrophilicproperties of a polymer.

In another embodiment, the urine capture slit of the present inventionmay further include a raised mound on the surface exposed to urine,wherein the urine capture slit is disposed within the raised mound. Theraised mound is generally configured to direct urine toward and into theurine capture slit, thereby facilitating use of the spectroscopicanalysis of the urine by the spectroscopic optical cables disposedwithin the urine capture slit. In some embodiments, the length, heightand width of the raised mound may be approximately the same as orslightly larger than the length, height and width of the urine captureslit, as described above. For example, in some embodiments, the lengthof the raised mound may range from about 2.5 mm (about 0.1 inches) toabout 25 mm (about 1 inches), or from about 2.5 mm (about 0.1 inches) toabout 9.5 mm (about 0.375 inches). In one particular embodiment, withlength of the raised mound is about 6.35 mm (about 0.25 inches) long.The height of the raised mound may, in some embodiments, range fromabout 2.5 mm (about 0.1 inches) to about 31.75 mm (about 1.25 inches).In one particular embodiment, the height of the raised mound is about6.35 mm (about 0.25 inches) long, which is sufficient to allow aspectroscopic optical cable and any necessary support structures to beintegrated into the sides of the urine capture slit. In someembodiments, the width of the raised mound is sufficient to slow theflow or urine and/or direct the urine toward the urine capture slit. Forexample, in some embodiments, the width of the raised mound may rangefrom about 50 mm (about 2 inches) to about 125 mm (about 5 inches). Insome embodiments, the width of the raised mound may range from about 75mm (about 3 inches) to about 100 mm (about 4 inches). In otherembodiments, the width of the raised mound is about 75 mm (about 3inches).

The urine capture slit may be oriented in any direction suitable forcapture of a urine sample. For example, in one aspect of the presentinvention, the urine capture slit is oriented in a directionsubstantially parallel to the flow of the urine, thereby maximizing thelikelihood that a sufficient amount of urine is captured within theurine capture slit to enable spectroscopic analysis of the urine sample.In another aspect, the narrow slit is oriented in a directionsubstantially parallel to a flow of flush water, thereby maximizing thelikelihood that a urine sample is rinsed from the urine capture slitfollowing capture within the urine capture slit and spectroscopicanalysis of the urine sample has been completed. The urine capture slitmay, of course, be oriented at any intermediate angle relative to theflow of urine or the flow of flush water.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate a particular embodiment of the urinecapture slit described above. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a urinecapture device 60 having urine capture slit 61 disposed on the insidesurface 23 of a toilet, urinal or urine hat. Also shown in FIG. 7A is araised mound 62 a and 62 b on each side of the urine capture slit 61.The raised mounds 62 a and 62 b are configured to divert urine flowthrough the urine capture slit 61 (wherein it can be temporarilyretained for analysis) and also to divert toilet flush water through theurine capture slit 61 where the toilet flush water can then rinse theurine sample from the urine capture slit.

FIG. 7B shows an expanded side view of the urine capture slit 61. Theurine capture slit comprises internal sides 63 a and 63 b, comprised ofa hydrophilic material that draws into and retains a portion of a urinesample 66 within the urine capture slit between the internal sides 63 aand 63 b. Internal side 63 a and 63 b will have an aperture 68 a and 68b, respectively, through which the optical cables 64 a and 64 b can passlight from the spectrometer for spectroscopic analysis.

Alternatively, in some embodiments of the present invention, the widthof the slit may be sufficiently wide that a urine specimen is notretained within the slit and the urine sample simply flows through theslit.

FIG. 7C shows a section view of the same urine capture slit 61 as shownin FIG. 7A, further showing the internal optical cables 64 a and 64 bused for spectroscopic analysis. The urine capture slit 61 comprisesinternal sides 63 a and 63 b, each of which have opposing apertures 68 aand 68 b, within which is disposed optical fibers 64 a and 64 b.Spectroscopic optical cables 64 a and 64 b are positioned on each ofinternal sides 63 a and 63 b, such that light from a spectrometer isable to pass from one end 67 a of the optic cable 64 a, through thecaptured urine sample, and into the other end 67 b of the optic cable 64b, with an aperture 68 a on one internal side opposing an aperture 68 bon the other internal side. FIG. 7C further shows an embodiment having atemperature sensor 69 disposed adjacent to or within the urine captureslit 61 for the purpose of determining the temperature of urine passingthrough the urine capture slit. The optical fibers are operablyoptically connected to a spectrometer.

There is thus disclosed an improved urine specimen capture device. Itwill be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the presentinvention without departing from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A urine specimen capture device for analyzing aurine specimen, comprising: a capture bowl to capture a urine specimen;an opening at a bottom of the capture bowl; a mounting frame connectedto the capture bowl to support the capture bowl within a toilet bowl; aflush valve within the opening at the bottom of the capture bowl, andone or more flush water capture flange fluidly connected to andextending from the capture bowl to capture flush water emitted from atoilet bowl rim during a toilet flush cycle and divert the flush waterto the capture bowl to thereby rinse the capture bowl of the urinespecimen, wherein the flush valve is operably connected to a toiletflush mechanism and configured to open upon actuation of the toiletflush mechanism.
 2. The capture device according to claim 1, wherein theflush valve is operably connected to a user sensor configured to closethe flush valve when the presence of a user on a toilet seat is detectedand open the flush valve when the presence of a user on the toilet seatis not detected.
 3. The capture device according to claim 2, wherein theuser sensor comprises a toilet seatload sensor.
 4. The capture deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the user sensor comprises a user proximitysensor.
 5. A urine specimen capture device for analyzing a urinespecimen, comprising: a capture bowl to capture a urine specimen; amounting frame connected to the capture bowl to support the capture bowlwithin a toilet bowl; and one or more flush water capture flange fluidlyconnected to and extending from the capture bowl to capture flush wateremitted from a toilet bowl rim during a toilet flush cycle and divertthe flush water to the capture bowl to thereby rinse the capture bowl ofthe urine specimen, wherein at least one of the one or more captureflange is flexible.
 6. A urine specimen capture device for analyzing aurine specimen, comprising: a capture bowl to capture a urine specimen;a mounting frame connected to the capture bowl to support the capturebowl within a toilet bowl; a fluid level sensor; one or more flush watercapture flange fluidly connected to and extending from the capture bowlto capture flush water emitted from a toilet bowl rim during a toiletflush cycle and divert the flush water to the capture bowl to therebyrinse the capture bowl of the urine specimen; and a flush valve operablyconnected to the fluid level sensor and configured to selectively closeand open to maintain the urine specimen at a predetermined volume in thecapture bowl.
 7. The capture device according to claim 6, furthercomprising a flush valve operably connected to the fluid level sensorand configured to selectively close and open to prevent the urinespecimen from exceeding a predetermined volume in the capture bowl.
 8. Aurine specimen capture device for analyzing a urine specimen,comprising: a capture bowl to capture a urine specimen; a mounting frameconnected to the capture bowl to support the capture bowl within atoilet bowl; one or more flush water capture flange fluidly connected toand extending from the capture bowl to capture flush water emitted froma toilet bowl rim during a toilet flush cycle and divert the flush waterto the capture bowl to thereby rinse the capture bowl of the urinespecimen, wherein capture device further comprises one or more analyticdevice mounted within the capture bowl, and wherein the analytic devicecomprises a spectrometer and a fluid level sensor and the spectrometeris actuated upon the fluid level reaching a designated volume level.